Post-Operative

  • FAQs

It is described that bariatric patients who have a proper follow up and the support of a Multidisciplinary team are able to achieve and maintain their goals in the short and long term. 

You may experience moderate pain on the first day of the surgery; during your stay in the hospital, pain medications are applied through an IV. Before being released, a prescription for sublingual pain meds will be given in case you may need them.

We use absorbable sutures, just as in plastic surgery, so you don’t have to go trough the inconvenience and discomfort of the removal.

Recovery time depends on many factors and differs from patient to patient. It takes most patients a week or less (usually 3 to 5 days) to return to work or your normal routine, and about 4 weeks to resume exercising.

They are done at the hospital; in order to perform properly a lap band fill or adjustment an X-ray machine is needed to help the access port. A fine needle is passed through the skin into the port to add or remove saline solution, which travels down the tube attached to the port and the gastric band making it tighter or loosen. This process usually takes only a few minutes.

The number of adjustments depends on your personal needs, taking under consideration your current restriction, eating choices and weight loss, which is evaluated by your physician and nutritionist. In most cases the first fill is done approximately 6 weeks after the lap-band placement, and you may need from 2 to 4 adjustments during the first year; after that period most patients have 1 to 2 fills per year.

The access port is placed beneath the fat of your abdomen. As you lose weight, you will be able to feel the port with your own fingertips but it is positioned well below the surface of the skin, requires no special care and is not visible to others.

It is advisable for you to have your lap band fills done by your surgeon, however we understand that it can be difficult, mostly when you don’t live around the area. There are many fill centers in USA where you could be referred to; please let us know so we can provide you information.

The band is designed to be permanent and is not meant to be removed. However, it can be safely removed. Surgeons report that the stomach generally returns to its original shape once the band is removed.

It depends on the type of procedure you had done, for example it is advisable for patients who have lap-band to take 1 multivitamin a day, and they could also use a protein supplement as a meal replacement since it is only a restrictive procedure, but patients with gastric bypass (malabsorptive and restrictive procedure) need to include different supplements on regular basis like iron, calcium, b-complex and protein powders.

Weight loss varies from patient to patient, and depends on several factors. You will need to be committed to your new lifestyle and eating habits. Weight loss procedures are not a miracle cure, and the pounds will not come off by themselves. You must look a it as a valuable tool to support you in achieving lasting results an estimated loss of 1 to 3 pounds a week in the first year after the operation is possible.

On average, people lose approximately 70% of their excess weight after one year following a gastric sleeve or gastric bypass.

Remember that you should lose weight gradually. Losing weight too quickly is a health risk and can lead to a number of problems. The main goal is to achieve a healthy weight the best way possible.

Come to the support group and speak to them. That is probably the best way to get insight. Most are extremely happy. Losing a substantial amount of weight has changed many parts of their lives. They report having more energy and many are able to do things that they weren’t able to do prior surgery. There is an adjustment, but a substantial majority feels that the sacrifice is well worth it.

The dramatic results experienced by some of our patients have been featured in newspapers, as well as in local and national television stories.

However, it is important to remember that certain people have a very difficult time after surgery. It is best to surround yourself with a good support system, join our support group and be committed to your follow up program.

The main reason is that weight loss surgery patients go through a huge changing process that can be quite scary and challenging for some. The support of an experienced psychologist makes it much easier for our patients to adjust, they will provide you the tools and knowledge that will improve your overall being.

That is not always the case. As a rule, plastic surgery should not be considered for at least a year after the procedure as sometimes skin would mold itself around the new body tissue.

Yes! We work with different financing companies. (enlazar a financiamiento LINK)

Most american insurance companies have no direct coverage for surgery outside the United States. Some mexican insurance companies have coverage for this type of procedures. For more information, please contact us.

Most of the times everything related to the surgery is covered by the paid amount; however in some cases, like for example some patients with previous abdominal surgeries may require extra time at the OR and an extra fee may be generated.

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